Summer update

Weather wise it hasn’t been much of a summer but the coolish weather is certainly good for trout growth rates. Most rivers are carrying large numbers of rainbows, 30-40cm, from the very productive spawning season in 2005 and with the cool weather these fish are growing fast. The only negative with the cooler weather has been the lack of cicadas, so most anglers are still using nymphs. At present all rivers are running low and clear.

Whanganui and Whakapapa Rivers: Fishing pressure has been very high on both rivers with considerably more anglers than in recent years. So if you fishing these waters expect to see other anglers especially in the more accessible areas such as Owhango. The fishing has been good in both rivers although catch rates appear to be down from last year. Please remember that there is a nil fish limit for rainbow trout in the upper Whakapapa River (above the Piopiotea confluence). Note that Genesis Energy have a very useful website with information on flows in both the Whanganui and Whakapapa Rivers (www.hydro.genesisenergy.co.nz).

Western Rivers: The fishing has been very productive on the Awakino and Mangahoi Rivers with fish numbers well up on last year. However, most of the fish caught are smallish – in the 30-45cm range.

Waipa headwaters: Early season the fishing was superb on most rivers in the Waipa headwaters with high numbers of rainbows. However brown trout numbers were low because with the cooler weather they’ve have remained in the lower Waikato River and are only just starting to run upstream, a good three weeks later than usual. Over the next couple of weeks the numbers of brown trout will steadily increase in the Waipa headwaters proving good dry fly fishing.

Lake Karapiro: The fishing in the headwaters has been a bit slow with not much of an evening rise. Both the Pokaiwhenua and Little Waipa river mouths have yet to see many fish but the fishing should improve once we get a spell of warm weather.

Lake Arapuni: The fishing was generally quite slow during December but has since improved dramatically with good catches from the Waipapa tailrace for shore-based anglers, while boat-anglers have been successful in the middle section along the cliffs on the eastern side of the lake. Please remember to report to Fish and Game the capture of any tagged trout. So far we have had 40 returns from the 500 tagged rainbow trout released into Arapuni in May 2005, with fish up to 60cm, so growth rates have been very pleasing.

South Waikato spring creeks: This is the best time of year to fish the spring creeks as there is usually plenty of surface activity – try a small dry fly.

Ongarue River: Recent reports indicate that the Ongarue is fishing very well after a good start to the season. The Waimiha and Waione Rivers have also been holding high numbers of fish.